Thick Yoga Mat
The Benefits of a Thick Yoga Mat
Most standard yoga mats are about 1/8 of an inch thick. Travel yoga mats can be as thin as 1/16 of an inch thick, making them great for keeping up with your yoga while traveling but not the mat you would want to use on a daily basis. Yoga mats serve three main purposes: to cushion the back and joints during certain poses, to keep you from slipping while gaining balance in a pose, and to absorb sweat throughout the yoga session. Using a thick yoga mat accomplishes all three of these providing more comfort and sweat absorption than standard yoga mats.
Cushioning
There are many positions in yoga that require your back or other joints be on the floor. Without enough cushioning, these positions can become very uncomfortable, making it difficult to hold them long enough to get all the benefits from them. A yoga mat provides cushioning for the back and joints, making it possible to hold positions longer and in more comfort. A thick yoga mat provides more cushioning than travel mats or standard mats.
Slip Prevention
Yoga is often practiced on wood or tile floors, especially if being done at a gym or yoga studio. These surfaces can become slick from sweat during a yoga session. A slick floor makes it much more likely to slip. Since many of the positions in yoga require balance, having a slip hazard is especially dangerous. The material that yoga mats are made from is tacky to the touch, which helps prevent slipping during a yoga pose. Having a more secure stance will help getting into the right position and give you the full benefit of the pose.
Sweat Absorption
While not as active as other exercise regimens, yoga is a form of exercise and people often sweat while doing it. Yoga mats are designed to absorb sweat. A thick yoga mat will absorb more moisture than travel and standard yoga mats. The more moisture a mat can absorb, the longer it will help prevent slips due to moisture under the hands or feet. Thicker mats are ideal for doing Bikram Yoga (or Hot Yoga) where the yoga session is held in a studio where the room is heated to 105 degrees Fahrenheit (40.5 degrees Celsius) and there is an increased level of sweating during the course of the session.
Other Benefits
Many people feel the need to use a towel in conjunction with their yoga mat as another sweat absorbing and cushioning surface. Using a thick yoga mat means that you do not need to use a towel or blanket as well, cutting down on the number of large or bulky items you need to take with you to your yoga session.